Lasianthus myrtifolius subsp. myrtifolius

Zhu, H., Roos, M. C. & Ridsdale, C. E., 2012, A taxonomic revision of the Malesian species of Lasianthus (Rubiaceae), Blumea 57 (1), pp. 1-102 : 64

a. subsp. myrtifolius

Lasianthus myrtifolius Ridl. (1909) 35; (1923a) 161; K. M. Wong (1989) 369. —

Type: Ridley 13630 ( holo SING ; iso K), Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang, 5000 ft.

Shrubs, 1– 2 m high; branchlets terete, slender, c. 1 mm diam, puberulous. Leaves: blades ovate-lanceolate to ovate, 3 –7 by 1–2 cm, coriaceous, glabrous and nitid on both surfaces, or minutely puberulous hairs on midrib and nerves beneath, apex caudate-acuminate, aristate, arista c. 1 mm long, base acute, midrib slightly depressed above, prominent beneath; nerves prominent on both surfaces, 5 –6 pairs, ascending at an angle of over 45°, curved to the margin, nervules prominent and distinct on both surfaces, parallel; petioles 3 –5 mm long, puberulous. Stipules subulate-triangular, c. 1 mm long, pubescent. Cymes sessile; bracts absent. Flowers sessile; calyx campanulate, c. 2 mm long, pubescent outside, lobes 4, triangular, c. 1 mm long; corolla c. 5 mm long, lobes 4, linear, pubescent outside, hairy inside. Drupes globose, c. 4 mm diam, verrucose, conspicuously 4-ridged; pyrenes 4, sulcate on the abaxial face and sides.

Distribution — Endemic to Peninsular Malaysia.

Note — This species has small thickly coriaceous leaves, which look like myrtaceous leaves, and very small flowers.